A/N: Okay, I'll be honest. I have no idea what this is supposed to be! xD And that is still true after I now know where this story is going to.

In case anyone might be confused: This is what started as 'Hiccstrid all the way'. I renamed it and changed the description because, obviously, it didn't fit anymore.

Chapter 1: Parting

When Chief Hiccup Haddock returned home that night, he was exhausted. What a day! What a long and very unpleasant day… But finally, it was over.

He unbuckled his fur coat and the uncomfortable weapon's belt, dropped both on the trunk near the entrance, next to a pair of pauldrons and with an exhausted sigh, he slumped down into the gigantic chair that had once belonged to his father. He rested his face in his hands, arms propped up on the table in front of him and for a moment simply enjoyed the ease and comfort around him. The room was warm with a low fire burning in the hearth, its crackling the only sound and the air was filled with the scent of a hearty stew. He could feel his stomach rumbling at that. When was the last time he'd eaten? Breakfast? Probably… Although, hadn't he needed to leave in a hurry that morning because of that quarrel down at the docks? Had he eaten anything at all today? He wasn't sure… He probably should get up, look for the food and for –

With a light knock, a bowl filled with still steaming stew was placed in front of him followed by a second one and he noticeably relaxed as a pair of soft lips touched his forehead. He hummed due to her lingering kiss and the way her fingers lightly caressed his face.

"I almost thought you'd spent the whole night up in the Great Hall today." She said in a light voice, but beneath the teasing tone, he could also hear her weariness.

"Yeah…," he answered slowly. "I thought so, too." He grimaced slightly as she withdrew her lips and fingers but a moment later, he heard the scraping of wood on wood as she drew her chair back to sit down as well. He opened his eyes to look at her. The sight of her always served to make him feel better in any situation.

She already had put off most of her usual armor and her hair was already down, falling in golden waves down her back. She, too, looked exhausted but then that was no surprise, really. Summer was drawing to an end and the preparations for the winter were in full swing. These days, nobody was at a loss of work. "You should eat," she remarked, nudging him lightly. "before it gets cold. Would be a shame…"

Hiccup eyed his wife carefully as she blew on the spoon full of stew and then pushed it into her mouth. She put in a lot of effort into getting better with all this domestic stuff as she called it, he knew and appreciated that but that didn't mean that her skills in that area were worth mentioning yet.

In this case though, she seemed to have been doing well, because she hummed contently and her features relaxed instantly as she chewed on that first mouthful. Reassured, he reached for the second spoon and yes, he had to admit it tasted delicious! They ate in silence, both too hungry and too weary for any conversation for now.

After he'd emptied the bowl, he leaned back into the chair with a satisfied sigh. "That was just what I needed right now," he admitted. He was still groggy, his mind too full of thoughts about everything that he'd had to do today and yet, he felt better. The warmth of the fire from the outside and of the stew from the inside did their work and he felt himself beginning to relax. "And you made this?"

oOo

Astrid glared at him for a moment. There was just a bit too much of surprise in his voice at these words. But then, he was right… If she would have been able to prepare a meal only remotely like this, she would stop taking these dreadful lessons from her mother immediately.

"No, my mom did," she admitted, not ashamed of that fact. In a normal household with another couple, this confession might have been embarrassing for the wife in question but with them, things were different. He hadn't fallen in love with her for her domestic skills after all. She had to gain those eventually, she knew and always had known that, but for now neither of them cared too much. "She only let me slice the vegetables and meat." He nodded with a small smile on his tired face and closed his eyes again.

He didn't look well. Sure, after their meal, he looked better, but still not well. She knew that this day hadn't been an easy one, another one of Berk's gripe days and a council meeting to plan the additional chores for the upcoming winter. Repairing fences and storehouses, recapturing livestock, the usual. But still, there seemed to be more, something else that occupied his mind. Well, rumors had even reached her busy ears today. And they seemed to be true…

"How was your day?" She asked artlessly and watched him grimace. He pressed his lips into a thin line and slowly shook his head.

"And yours?" he asked back evasively. She gazed at him for a little longer, then stood up and walked toward him. She sat down on his lap, straddling him and lightly placed her hands on his neck. He groaned as she began to massage his stiff muscles but quickly relaxed further.

"Nothing unusual," She said absentmindedly while her hands worked his neck and shoulders. "After the meeting, I helped Valka and Eret with the young Hobblegrunts and Shovelhelms. Their training turns out to be much more demanding than expected. Luckily that doesn't go for the new riders as well. Their training went well, I would never have thought Snot of all people would be such a good teacher." She chuckled lightly and caught his lips twitching into a smile as well. Her hand wandered upward into his hair, massaging his scalp through his thick mane while he placed his on her thighs, drawing calm circles on their outsides.

"Later, I helped Ruff carrying more of her stuff over to her new house." She continued. "I never expected to see the day when she and Tuff actually wouldn't live together anymore but here it is. Although I'm not sure whether Snot is such a good alternative, compared to Tuff. Well, it was her choice… I just hope this thing with Tuff's Lia works out, for his sake!" She wasn't sure how closely her husband was listening by now. His hands were on her hips now, not yet drawing her closer and only holding her firmly. But he also seemed to be lost in his own thought, too caught up to relax. She knew her babbling would distract him from those all too demanding thoughts so she went on. "And then we all met at my mother's of course. She's still incredulous about how a bunch of green girls suddenly ended up being wives and I'm not saying that I mind her attempts at teaching us… I know she means well and I know she has a point but still…" She sniffed exaggeratedly and caught his lips stretching into a wider grin. Goal achieved!

She felt his hands digging harder into her hip, subconsciously pulling her toward him while she let her fingertips glide over his face, his cheekbones, his jawline, and his lips. She was reluctant to raise that other topic. He finally seemed to lighten up. But it needed to be done, they needed to talk about it if what she'd heard was true. She brushed her lips lightly over his before she continued: "And then, while my mom tried to teach us how to season the stew, Mrs. Ingerman showed up." Beneath her, she felt him stiffen instantly. Because, of course, Mrs. Ingerman had heard the news first and she was well known to be the biggest gossipmonger of Berk. "She told us about a T-mail that arrived from Berserker Island. Apparently, she's going to be a grandmother soon and was very excited. My mom gave me a reproachful look but I don't know that I'm ready to stop drinking the moon tea. Not yet…" She observed his reaction closely, though not because of what she'd said. They were on one on that point. No, she observed him because of what she hadn't said yet. "She also told us about another note that came with it." She mumbled against his neck. "A message from Dagur?"

oOo

There it was, that dreaded message and all those thoughts that had come with it. Hiccup tensed up all over again, ruining all her efforts to get him to relax in an instant. He barely noticed how his fingers dug harder into her and only lighten his grip as he felt her shifting uncomfortably beneath his hands. He didn't want to deal with that, not right now at least, didn't want to think about what they… what he needed to do! There was no way around it and of course, he had to talk about it with her, but not yet… Not now…

He nodded to let her know that there truly was a message from Dagur and that he didn't intend to keep it from her. He would tell her, she needed to know but not now! Now, he just wanted to hold her, to feel her. He needed her!

He wrapped his arms more tightly around her, drew her body against his and apparently, that was all the invitation she needed. He exhaled sharply into her hair as she purposefully ground her warm center against his crotch. The sensation sent a hot wave of desire through his already heated body. Gods, she was incredible! He felt her hand on his cheek, lifting his face toward her and a moment later, her lips were on his. There was no caution in this kiss, no hesitance, no room for doubts as to where it would lead them. Her tongue darted out to meet his, playfully challenging him and she pressed herself against him, her soft body melting against his chest. Her closeness wiped away every coherent thought in his mind in an instant, as always, and his body moved more out of instinct than anything else. She gasped into his mouth as he bucked beneath her, his growing bulge pressing into the damp heat between her legs. Their breaths mingled more and more while they worked each other up, hands gliding over skin and bodies rubbing against each other. Then she leaned back, quickly loosened the buckles and clasps of his armor and he used the break to push her shirt up and over her head - to reveal her already bare breasts beneath. He groaned as the sight sent another wave of hot need through his body and down into his loins. She really was-

"…incredible." He gasped shakily and reached for her, drawing her closer again. He ran his lips up and down her neck, exhaling against her sensitive skin while his hands carefully slid up her body. She arched into his touch, seeking more and he was all too willing to giving her just that. A suppressed moan escaped her, the sweetest sound, as his fingertips finally reached the swell of her breasts, grazing the sensitive flesh lightly for a moment before he moved on, carefully cupping those firm hills with his calloused hands. He watched her trembling in anticipation while his thumbs glided up to her peaks, playfully flicking them a few times, drawing light circles around them and finally pinched them in the way he by now knew would drive her crazy. She cried out and firmly pressed down on his crotch again, eager for more friction, more sensation, just more!

More… Yes, he could give her more, would give her everything! He leaned down to slowly lick over the hot, white skin of her breasts, leaving a prickling wet line to remind her where he'd been. His tongue and teeth made their way to her nipple, nibbling and teasing while his hands slid back down to her hips and through the tangles of her studded skirt toward her ass. He grabbed her cheeks and continuedly rolled her hips toward him to meet his jerking ones with every thrust. She moaned freely now, moving with him, her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers dug into his back and buried in his hair. He moved a little faster, jerking up in abandon, spurred on by her needy noises and urgent motions. Gods, he needed her, wanted her, needed to know that she was his, that he was hers. He needed to - to stop! Now, or he would- would…

With a desperate groan, he pulled his mouth away from her and forced himself to stop thrusting into her through their clothes. She deserved better than this! At the sudden lack of sensation, she whimpered and gazed down at him through bleary eyes. He tried to say something, anything but his mind was too dazed already to form any coherent words. Instead, he just tugged helplessly at her skirt's tassels, the first thing he could get a hold on. She nodded, panting and crawled back, off his lap. He watched her in rapt attention as she quickly stripped off her skirt and legging only to reveal that she wasn't wearing any undergarment at all anymore.

oOo

Astrid threw him a feverish look while she got rid of her remaining clothes. She loved how he watched her doing so, completely captivated as if it was the first time he saw her like this. They were married for a few months now and getting naked, getting intimate with each other wasn't awkward or strange anymore. But it was still far from being ordinary and she hoped that would never change. She saw him swallowing as he raked her naked body and she gave him a sly smile as she sauntered back toward him.

Another thing she loved, although she would never admit it out loud, was how easily she could make him forget everything else with just a touch or a sound. She knew he never stopped thinking, never stopped considering options, never stopped pondering over one problem or another, one of his inventions or his duties as chief. His mind never stopped working unless they were together, skin on skin. She could see how his mind took a break now, how his thoughts rested and his head relaxed. It felt good to have this much power over him and even better to be able to do this for him. Because his mind needed a break every now and then, needed it dearly! And the simple fact how much fun having sex was was only the topping.

His eyes never left her as she dropped onto one knee in front of him and loosened the clasps that held his fake leg until she was able to take it off. While she stood up again, she let her hands run up his legs, rested them on his thighs and leaned over to give him another lingering kiss, almost playful in its innocence after their heated exchange before. Teasingly, she nudged her hands upward toward the considerable bulge in his leather pants and as they reached their goal, she rubbed against him with just enough pressure to make him shudder and gasp. Then, without tormenting him much further, she hooked her fingers below his waistband and pulled his pants and coverings down and off. He didn't help more than was necessary, knew all too well by now that she didn't want him to. Stripping him of his clothes was her privilege and his gift to her. As long as he didn't take over completely - and by Thor's hammer, she loved it when he did that! – it was her decision when and if they got rid of which clothes.

But tonight, she wanted to feel him, his hot skin beneath her hands. She crawled back onto his lap and pushed her damp center against his erection. "A… Astrid…" he gasped pleadingly but she didn't react like he probably wanted her to. Instead, she tugged at his leather armor and afterward at his tunic to pull both over his head, all the while twitching and twisting to further rub against him. As soon as his arms were free again, his hands were back on her hips, restraining her teasing, pulling her closer.

"Easy there…" she breathed and placed her hands on his chest, for stabilization and to indicate him to stay still. Slowly, very slowly, she pushed herself up, sliding her clit and her soaked core up and down his length. The sensation was overwhelming, sending hot desire through her already excited body but that was not why she did it. She watched with gleaming eyes as his rolled back into his head for a moment. He groaned and twitched beneath her, his hand still on her hips but he didn't even try to take over, made no further attempt to pull her close and down onto him. His hands didn't leave her but now they were more clinging to her than anything else, clinging to her for dear sanity while he waited for her to go on. He gave himself up to her, utterly and completely and his trust in her almost made her choke. Gods, how much she loved him!

She leaned down to place another kiss on his lips, not innocent at all this time as she nibbled on his lower lip and sucked it into her mouth just as she angled her hip the right way and firmly sank down on him, taking him in completely. They gasped in unison at the sensation and feeling so utterly full with him inside her made her shudder and clench uncontrollably. Gods, it felt so good, so right!

After a moment to adjust to him, she slowly began to move up and down his length, an exercise that suited her well-toned thighs. Every now and then, she paused to grind into him though, moaning wantonly when he teased that sweet spot deep inside her. She felt his fingers digging deeper into her butt cheeks as he tried to hold himself back, hold himself still as she wanted him to, to not grab her and thrust into her greedily. His cock inside her twitched and throbbed unmistakably, his heat radiating through her entire being. She became lightheaded and her breathing exhilarated uncontrollably as desire made her insides tense up deliciously. She was almost there, caught glimpses and sparks of her rising orgasm already. Just a bit more… She bit down on her lip, hard but wasn't able to completely suppress the needy moan from escaping her. His control over his body had become better during the past months but after she'd worked him up so thoroughly it was probably hanging by a thread by now. No more games.

oOo

Hiccup thought he might die any moment now. His head was empty, every thought thoroughly wiped away by her actions, again! All he could think about was how beautiful she was, how tight and hot she was around his cock, how sweet her moans and sobs sounded as she worked up both their tension.

God, yes, he wanted to take over, to mindlessly thrust into her hot and wet center until this unbearably tight coil in his guts snapped, until their howls echoed off the walls. But just as much, he wanted to just take what she had to give. Watching her bouncing up and down above him, watching her taking him in every time again, watching her face contort with barely concealable pleasure, it was incredible! And her noises… her helpless cries and urgent gasps, it was almost more than he could bear. No, he couldn't take over, even if he had wanted to. Just clinging on to her to hold his climax back just a little bit longer was about all he could muster.

He felt her tighten around him and recognized it as a sign that she, too, was close. Just a bit… longer… He told himself as a particularly drawn-out moan of her sent his head spinning. He forced his hands to loosen their iron grip on her ass and let them wander to her front instead. Another advantage of this position was that he had his hands free to pleasure her further! The rhythm of her bouncing faltered slightly as he rested his hand on her lower belly, moving up and down with her while his thumb pressed down on her clit.

She whimpered and sobbed weakly and moved a few more times, rubbing herself against his thumb before she firmly pressed down on his cock with a piercing scream. Her fingers dug into his skin, her entire body spasming as she came undone above him. Her inner walls clenched down on him hard, choking him and it finally was more than he could take. Even if their house would have come tumbling down on them right now, he couldn't have cared less as he arched up, pressing into her more firmly and released into her hot core with an unrestrained howl.

Some while later, Hiccup lay in the fur-nest by the hearth, his limbs entangled with those of his wife beside him. He wasn't sure how they'd made it over here from the gigantic chair but he didn't really care either way. After their shared climax, she'd all but collapsed on top of him, trembling and panting and his condition hadn't been any better. He'd been able to lay his heavy arms around her back and nothing more. It had been all his body had been capable off while his head had refused to work at all for a while.

But now, clarity slowly crept back into his mind. He remembered just how public their living room really was. He was the chief and whenever there was a problem, people just burst in here without hesitation. Or, Gods forgive, knocking! Right after their wedding, people had been a bit more cautious for a few weeks he'd noticed but that had worn off by now. Anyone could have barged in on them at any moment. And still could! In fact, it was almost a miracle nobody already had, with that news surely spreading like wildfire through the village.

"Astrid?" he asked cautiously. He didn't want to wake her but they were still lying around naked where chances were high for anyone to see them and the thought was weird. He knew that with the typical Viking-like lack of caution and restraint, things like that happened all the time. Hel, it had happened to him more than once when he was younger and had made deliveries for Gobber. But he never would have thought to find himself on the other side one day…

She stirred next to him, murmured something unintelligible and moved to cuddle to him more closely. He laid his arm around her and began to cautiously rub her back, to slowly wake her up completely.

"Astrid, we should get up. Get dressed or get over to the bedroom or…" She stirred again but only to cuddle even closer to him and wrap one lithe arm around his torso.

"Mmhhhnnoo…" She mumbled against his chest without ever opening her eyes.

"But… Someone could come in, could see us… you… I mean…" He trailed off as her hold around his chest tightened and her warm body was suddenly pressed against his once more.

"Mmngh don't care," she murmured with a sigh and rubbed her cheek against his chest. "I want to stay like this… just a bit longer…" He smiled and closed his arms around her. He couldn't deny that he wanted that, too. "Just… Maybe pull over one of the furs?" She suggested hesitantly, almost like an afterthought. "It's getting a bit cold, you know…"

"Of course…" He chuckled but obeyed, covering them both with one of the bigger furs in reach.

They stayed like this for a little while longer, lazily caressing each other and murmuring sweet nothings. Her hand was on his face, her palm on his cheek and he nuzzled into it before she moved on, her fingertips outlining his features.

"What did Dagur want?" She suddenly asked and he grimaced.

oOo

Astrid watched him closely. Even relaxed as he was, her question had brought back those lines of stress around his mouth and eyes in an instant. She'd heard the rumors… That the men were preparing for a long journey on ships, just like they'd done years ago when they'd been looking for the dragon nest. She hadn't believed it really, why would anyone on Berk make such a journey on ships? Even if there were more people or equipment to transport, their dragons made for a far quicker journey, even if they were only used to pull the ships. But Mrs. Ingerman's mention of Dagur'S letter and her husband's anxiety… There seemed to be at least some truth is those rumors.

"He asked me for a favor," he finally answered. "You know I can't deny him that but aside from that, it's also a necessity for me… for us as well." He shook his head as if to chase away unwanted thoughts. Then he turned to the side, to better be able to look at her and began to talk.

"The Redthorn tribe… I guess you haven't heard much of them before?" He asked and she shook her head. That name didn't ring a bell, really. "They are a rather reclusive tribe in the east, or they used to be, at least. Dagur got word, that they became more active lately and with more active he means they are purchasing weapons and equipment. He doesn't know what they are planning, but… It made him wary and you know Dagur. Anything that makes him wary should be reason enough for everyone else to be cautious as well." He paused and ran his fingertips down the side of her face.

"He doesn't want to directly start a war. Thankfully, those times are over! But he wants to visit them. He wants to talk and maybe negotiate a peace treaty while everything's still calm. And he asked me to join him, said it probably would make a bigger impression on them when two tribes, two chiefs came with this request."

"Especially if one of them is the legendary Dragon Master…" she added with a playful smile but that only made him grimace further.

"Yeah, well…" He murmured reluctantly. "That's kind of where the problems begin. The Redthorns don't have many dragons in their area but are very hostile towards them nonetheless. If we want them to even consider a peace treaty, then we can't just barge in on our dragon on their island. We are the ones with the request after all. We have to abide by their rules as much as possible. My reputation as… as Dragon Master won't help. The Hooligan tribe is a powerful one and that's why they might consider a treaty but only if we keep the dragons out of it. Maybe we can change their minds later, but…"

She nodded thoughtfully. That explained the ships. "How far is their island? How long will we be gone?" Surely, Valka and Gobber would be able to run the village for a while, the blacksmith, in particular, was used to that anyway. But winter was coming and when they were traveling on ships they would need to return before the ice came.

She noticed how his face twisted in anguish and watched him more carefully. What else was there, what hadn't he told her yet?

"It'll take us about two weeks to reach their island on ships." He answered reluctantly. Well, that wasn't too bad. Even with a customary visit of a month's duration, they'd be back in two months, long before the ice closed up around them. But he still hadn't told her what was really bothering him.

"But?" She inquired more firmly and he sighed in defeat.

"But you can't come with me!"

oOo

Hiccup saw how her initial stunned expression first turned into disbelief and then into betrayal and rage.

"You promised!" She snarled and he winced at the accusing tone of her voice. "You promised you wouldn't try to protect me anymore! You promised that we would face any danger together, come what may! Dammit, you promised, Hiccup!" Her eyes were filling with tears and she turned away from him. Well, that went just as great as he had expected…

"I know what I promised." He replied, fighting to keep his voice calm. If they started to argue now he would never get the chance to explain it to her. "Believe me, I remember my oath. But this is different!" She interrupted him by turning back toward him and giving him her deadliest glare.

"How?" She spat. "How is this different? Why can't I come with you if not because this trip might be dangerous?" He bit his lower lip but otherwise forced himself to not evade her rage in any way. She would see it as a proof, as justification for her anger and wouldn't listen to him anymore.

"This trip won't be dangerous." He kept his eyes on her, begging her to listen, to understand. She didn't interrupt him this time which was a good sign at least. So he added in a lower voice: "Not for me, at least." Her expression turned into a confused frown so he hurried to explain further. "The Redthorns… There's something else about them. Something that shot them out at the chiefs' meetings, even long before we made peace with the dragons. It's… about their attitude toward women." He wanted to take a break, to see how she would react but he knew she probably wouldn't let him continue so he hurried on. "Their men don't see women as their equal, far from it. In their tribe, women are property and nothing more. They have to be quiet, obedient and… available. This trip won't be dangerous for me or the others but it would be for you!" He watched her pleadingly as she processed what he'd said. It was obvious when she'd come to a conclusion. Her face turned into a stony mask and she snorted harshly.

"I wouldn't be in danger, I'm quite capable of defending myself. But I would be the danger, right? You said it yourself, 'We have to abide by their rules'… You know I wouldn't stand back and let them treat me like that. I would endanger your treaty, right?" Despite her anger, his faces softened and he reached out to caress hers once again. Gods, how much he loved her, so smart and never afraid…

"I won't lie to you, that was part of the reasoning," He smiled at her apologetically. "But you are wrong when you think you wouldn't be in any danger." A memory rose in his head, many years old and he had hoped very much to never relive it again... He shuddered and his hands clenched into fists. To think, she could-

She huffed in irritation and clearly wanted to answer him back but he beat her to it. "I know how good a fighter you are!" He reminded her firmly. "But that wouldn't matter if they ambushed you with five men or even more. They wouldn't fight fair and if they thought you were getting ideas above your station then not even the fact that you are my wife would save you." He swallowed and felt the urge to draw her closer. She stiffened for a moment like she wanted to protest but then let him do so. Apparently, she wasn't angry anymore, or, rather not that angry at least…

"This is not keeping you safe while I head for the danger on my own, alright? This is just keeping you safe! I-" He took a shuddering breath. "I don't want you to ever place a foot on their land! Because that would be dangerous and unnecessarily so."

She was quiet for a few minutes and when she spoke again, her voice was calm and reasonable. "So, you're not taking any women with you on that trip? Ruff and Valka will stay here, too?"

He wasn't sure what she intended with this question but there was no point in withholding anything anyway. So, he nodded and said: "Yes, and Heather, too, if that works out. She, Dagur and Fishlegs are going to be here in a few days and then we'll set sails the next morning."

She gasped a humorless laughter. "So, it'll be just you boys going on a vacation? You, Dagur, Fishlegs, Snot, Tuff, and Eret? Right, I'm not worried at all anymore…"

"Well, I thought about bringing Spitelout and some of the other Elder, too. Those, who've dealt with the Redthorns before." He shrugged. "But aside from that, yeah, that's the plan."

She snorted again. "And that's supposed to make me feel better? Some old men to watch your back?" She paused for a moment, then shook her head and asked: "Toothless or me?"

"Erm… what?" he asked, not understanding what she meant.

"If you think I'll let you leave with only those muttonheads as backup then you're wrong! I know our friends have grown up, too, became responsible and all and are good fighters and I know every man would give his life to save yours but still. Either you'll bring Toothless or me to watch over you, it is your decision!"

"But…" he sputtered perplexedly. Hadn't she listened? "They wouldn't accept Toothless, the negotiations would be over before they even began!"

"I'm not saying he should come with you to the village! But…" She exhaled sharply and shrugged insecurely. "I don't know… Maybe he could stay in the forests nearby so he could reach you when you need him? You could equip him with that automatic tailfin you made for him once so he can fly on his own. I know he didn't like it but I'm sure he'd accept it under these circumstances! He could hunt on his own and hide from any villagers. He…" She trailed off and buried her face against his chest. "It's that or I'll come with you! Your choice!"

He felt her trembling in his arms and swallowed. She was worried… That was something he could hardly begrudge her… Gods, he had been worried, too, when he'd read what Dagur was planning! The Redthorns weren't an easy tribe to deal with and the thought of a peace treaty with people like them made him sick. But it was still better than open war. If there was even the slightest chance of avoiding that then he had to take it! Even if it came with a risk as well…

Her idea wasn't bad though, he had to give her that. It could work and it would make him feel much better on this journey. And if it served to keep her away from those horrible men, well, there was no choice to be made, really.

"I'll start rebuilding that tailfin at dawn then." He stated soberly. In his arms, she sobbed audibly but nodded, accepting his choice.

"I'll miss you horribly!" she said in a small voice close to breaking and he pulled her closer against him. Had they ever been separated for that long before? He couldn't remember that ever to have happened…

"I know," he murmured into her hair. "I'll miss you, too!"

A/N: As always I'd be very glad to hear what you think of this! Are there any questions, anything that's confusing? What do you think of the smutty part? Do you think they act reasonable in-character (Because I tried...)? And are there parts you didn't like, and why? I'm always curious to know your thoughts! :o)